Abstract 40: Global Cancer Surgery in Low-Resource Settings: A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background: Cancer surgery is a resource-intensive yet essential component of cancer care. In the face of projected increase in cancer burden, the present gap in cancer surgery care in low-resource settings with stressed healthcare and surgical infrastructure risks further exacerbation. Understanding the current state of global cancer surgery is essential to determining the best way forward. Purpose: The objectives of this report are to (1) describe the landscape of global cancer surgery literature and (2) characterize these findings through a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis. Methods: A literature review was performed of global cancer surgery studies involving low-resource settings published since the landmark 2015 Lancet Commission on Global Surgery and Global Cancer Surgery. Studies were summarized and evaluated for themes, which were further grouped into SWOT categories for analysis. Results: The online literature search yielded 123 articles, of which 46 articles met inclusion criteria for analysis. The majority of included studies were open access (n=34) and published between 2021 and 2022 (n=26). Conclusion: The body of published global cancer surgery literature is growing, perhaps reflecting increased research attention and valuation. From the reviewed literature, Strengths of the global cancer surgery field include a body of studies investigating important aspects of cancer surgery in low-resource settings: local cancer epidemiology, local surgical and technological innovation, quality-of-life as a key surgical outcome metric, and advancements in cancer surgery through interdisciplinary work. Weaknesses include systems-level limitations (i.e. resources, perioperative services, broader health system gaps) and a paucity of detailed economic analyses. Opportunities include diverse local cancer management strategies, successful inter-setting collaborations supporting research, education, and surgical skills training, and thoughtful research expansion for an inclusive future. Threats include large-scale stresses on local healthcare infrastructure (i.e. COVID-19) and the risk of widening disparities posed by unchecked technological. Conclusion: This SWOT analysis may inform local intervention strategies and action plans to help LMIC stakeholders achieve cancer surgery goals. Similar analyses are needed locally to help elucidate best practices that might be applied or tailored to similar settings globally. Citation Format: Samantha Sadler, Erick Torio, Alexandra Golby. Global Cancer Surgery in Low-Resource Settings: A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Closing the Research-to-Implementation Gap; 2023 Apr 4-6. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 40.